Seam operating tool

ABSTRACT

A seam operating tool for use in closing and opening interlocking elastomeric seam members of the type having a Ushaped seam member embracing a T-shaped seam member. The plierlike tool has similar channel-shaped jaws facing one another and held by stop means from closing beyond a predetermined spacedapart operating position. A tang facing inwardly and supported from the bottom of at least one jaw operates to support the Thead for internesting assembly between the hooked end of the legs of the U-shaped seam member and can also be utilized to shift the T-head bodily toward its assembled position. The tool can be readily installed about or removed from a partially closed seam and is operable in either direction depending on whether the user wishes to close or to open the seam.

United States Patent [1 Bannies Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation of Ser. No. 189,253, Oct. 14, 1971, abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 57,911, July 24, 1970, abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 739,354, June 24, 1968, abandoned.

[75] Inventor:

[52] US. Cl. 29/243.5, 24/205.15 E [51] Int. Cl B25b 7/00, B23p 19/02 [58] Field of Search 24/201 C, 205.15 E; 81/425 R, 425 A, 5.1; 29/235, 243.5, 243.57,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 11/1914 Denner-Meier 24/205.15 E 4/1923 Gomez 24/205.15 E 9/1952 Beckerman 24/205.l5 E

10/1956 Sander 24/201 C 1 May 7,1974

6/1952 Australia 24/201 C Primary ExaminerAl Lawrence Smith Assistant Examiner.l. C. Peters Attorney, Agent, or FirmSellers and Brace 571 ABSTRACT A seam operating tool for use in closing and opening interlocking elastomeric seam members of the type having a U-shaped seam member embracing a T- shaped seam member. The plier-like tool has similar channel-shaped jaws facing one another and held by stop means from closing beyond a predetermined spaced-apart operating position. A tang facing inwardly and supported from the bottom of at least one jaw operates to support the T-head for internesting assembly between the hooked end of the legs of the U- shaped seam member and can also be utilized to shift the T-head bodily toward its assembled position. The tool can be readily installed about or removed from a partially closed seam and is operable in either direction depending on whether the user wishes to close or to open the seam.

44 Claims, 14 Drawing Figures l SEAM OPERATING TOOL This application is a continuation of Ser. No. l89,253, filed Oct. 14, 1971, now abandoned, which in turn is a continuation of my pending application of U.S. Pat Ser. No. 57,91 1, filed July 24, 1970, now abandoned, which in turn is a continuation in part of my application for US Pat, Ser. No. 739,354, filed June 24,

1968, now abandoned, for Seam Operating Tool.

This invention relates to continuous interlocking seam structures and more particularly to a hand-held tool for use in opening and closing a continuous separable seam of the type having a U-shaped member shaped to interlock with the head of a complementally formed T-shaped member.

The interlocking type of seam shown in the U.S. Pat. No. of Walter A. Plummer, 3,357,455 granted Dec. 12, 1967, has many highly desirable characteristics including unusual strength and resistance to opening, but is subject to the disadvantage of requiring a mechanical aid of some type movable along the seam and effective to cam the seam parts into assembled relation. Other types of interlocking seams can be assembled by the use of moderate pressure applied to the overlapped parts or, alternatively, they can be closed and opened by the aid of a mechanical slider device. Mechanical sliders of a variety of constructions have been proposed heretofore for use in mating U and T-sectioned seam components but such devices must be threaded over the endsof the seam parts and then advanced the entirelength of the seam. Other disadvantages include their complexity and cost of construction, the close tolerances that must be maintained for their proper functioning and the fact that they are easily damaged and deformed sufficiently to malfunction. Additionally they cannot be'applied or removed from an intermediate length of the seam but only from its ends.

The present invention provides a simple, inexpensive seam-operating tool adapted to be held in the users hand. Essentially'the device comprises a plier-like tool the specially constructed jaws of which are equipped with a short length of generally channel shaped crosssection. These jaws embrace the seam parts and include camming surface means positioned and shaped to accomplish mating of the seam parts while guiding them into or out of mating relationship depending upon the direction of movement of the tool lengthwise of the seam. Stop means prevent these jaws from closing beyond a position in which the jaws are effective to 'assemble or dissassemble the seam without gripping or applying pressure to the seam parts. The jaws'are inclined at an acute angle to the axis of the tool for convenience and maximum effectiveness and efficiency. Owing to this feature and the thinness and contouring of one jaw, very little'space is required for the tool on the interior side of the seam. Another feature of marked importance is the capability of application to and removal of the tool from a partially closed seam simply by manipulating the tool jaws. The tool handles preferably include resilient means urging the jaws closed as well as finger grip means to facilitate application of a pulling force on the tool.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a simple, inexpensive, hand-held tool specially designed for use in opening and closing interlocking seams having a T-shaped edge interlocking with a mating U-shaped seam section.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a new and improved seam operating tool of the handheld type readily manipulatable by the users hands for assembly about and removal from an intermediate length of a seam closed to either end of an open portion thereof.

Another objectof the invention is the provision of a novel and improved tool for use in operating a continuous interlocking seam of thetype wherein engagement and disengagement takes place in a direction generally in the plane of the seam and its adjacent mounting webs.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a simple, rugged hand-held plier-type tool for closing and opening a continuous seam of the interlocking T-head, U-leg type and featuring means integral with the bottom of one tool jaw designed to aid in guiding the T- head into assembly position between the U-legs aof the other seam part.

These and other more specific objects will appear upon readingthe following specification and claims and upon considering in connection therewith the attached drawing to which they relate.

Referring now to the drawing in which a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated:

FIG. 1 is'a side view of a preferred embodiment of the invention tool in use to close a continuous interlocking seam;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary top-plan view of the forward end of the tool shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view on an enlarged scale taken along line 3-3 on FIG. 1

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view on an enlarged scale I on FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of the jaw end of the tool showing the details of, the. jaws when widely open;

FIG. 7 is a side view similar to FIG. 1 of a second preferred embodiment of the tool in use to close a seam;

enlarged scale FIG. 13 is a view similar to FIG. 12 but showing the jaws starting to close toward their operating position over a closed portion of the seam immediately ahead of its junction with an open portion; and

FIG. 14 is a view similar to FIG. 13 but showing the tool jaws closed and in the process of camrning the U- legs out of assembly with the T-head seam member.

Referring more particularly to FIG. 1, there is shown a preferred embodiment of the invention seamoperating tool, designated generally 10, formed from two heavy gauge sheet metal stampings 11,12 pivotally secured together by shouldered rivet 13. The longer ends of the stampings provide handles 14,15 whereas the shorter ends are shaped to provide a pair of jaw supports 16,17 having the general configuration clearly shown'in the several views of the drawings. As is made clear by FIGS. 3 and 6, handles 14 and 15 as well as jaw supports 16 and 17 preferably lie in the same plane in the interest of maximum strength and ruggedness.

Brazed or otherwise securely fixed to the inner edges of jaw supports 16,17 are a pair of nearly-identical channel shaped jaws 20,21, these jaws differing in that one side flange of jaw 20 is provided with an inwardly extending tang 22 having important functions to be described in greater detail below. Jaws 20 and 21, as here shown, are specifically designed and dimensioned for use in closing extruded plastic seam-forming members or tapes 24,27 of the type shown in FIGS. 1 to 4. Seam member 24 is of U-shaped in cross-section along its free inner edges with the free ends of each leg formed with hooks as indicated at 26. The mating seam member 27 has a T-shaped head 28 wherein the edges of the T-head are shaped complementally to the hooks 26 and interlocktherewith in the assembled position of the seam parts. Assembly of the seam requires spreading the U-shaped legs sufficiently to admit the T-head following which the legs are closed toward the T-stem with hooks 26 engaging the complementally shaped hooks on the T-head. Disassembly of the closed seam requires spreading the legs to disengage the T-head from hooks 26, following by camming the two seam members laterally away from one another.

From the foregoing discussion of the seam structure, it will be understood that tool jaws 20,21 are so dimensioned as to mutually cooperate in embracing a respective leg of the U-shaped seam component and to permit opening of the legs away from one another as T-member 28 is inserted therebetween. For these purposes, the rear bottom portions 30 of the jaws are spaced apart adequately to permit spreading of the free ends of the U-legs, a condition best illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 5. The bottoms 31 of the foremost ends of the jaws converge forwardly toward one another as is best shown in FIG. 5 for the purpose of closing the legs about the T-head and engage hooks 26 with the T-head thereby locking the seam parts together in the manner clearly shown in FIGS. 3 and 5. Likewise, the rearward internal flaring of the jaws facilitates the spreading of the U-legs sufficiently to receive or release the T-head depending upon the direction of movement of the tool lengthwise of the seam.

To insure that the T-head is fully inserted between the U-legs, upper jaw member 20 is provided with an inwardly projecting tang 22 (FIG. 5) positioned to engage one end of the T-head in the manner indicated in FIG. 3. Accordingly, as the tool is pulled to the right, as viewed in FIG. 1, tang 22 forcibly cams the T-head against the interior bottom of the U-shaped member. When in this position, the hooks on the T-head are positioned to engage hooks 26 of the U-shaped member. At the same time the coverging bottom portion 31 of the jaws are forcibly closing the legs toward the opposite sides of the T-stem.

Another important feature of the jaw construction will be best understood from FIGS. 3, 4 and 6 from which it will be observed one side wall 35 of the jaws is stepped and flaresrearwardly. The upright portion of this flange serves as cam means to guide the T-head into mating relation between the U-legs whereas the parallel facing bottom portions 36 support the T-stem and hold it accurately centered between the Ulegs.

A further important feature is the provision of a stop 38 carried by one of the tool handles 15 and positioned to limit the closing movement of the jaws to the position shown in FIGS. 3 and 5. It will be noted that the adjacent edges of the jaw side walls are then in closely spaced parallel relation, the distancebetween these edges being slightly greater than the thickness of the mounting webs of the seam members thereby permitting these to pass freely between the jaws without any binding action.

In the operation of the tool, let it be assumed that seam members 24, 27 are bonded to the opposite edges of thin-walled flexible tubing 40. To close the seam, the U-shaped portion 25 of seam 24 is inserted into the widely spaced rearmost ends of the jaws 20,21 while handles 14,15 are held closed against strop 38. The adjacent end of T-shaped seam member 27 is then threaded endwise into the rearmost end of the jaws, that is, from the right end of the jaw as viewed in FIG. 4, with T-head 28 entering between the legs of the U- shaped portion 25. A short length of the closed seam will then project from the forward end of the jaws. This end is grasped between the thumb and finger of the one hand as the tool is pulled lengthwise of the seam with jaws 20,21 parallel to the seam in the manner illustrated in FIG. 1.

If the user wishes'to discontinue the closing operation at any time and to remove the tool, it is merelyv necessary to open the handles slightly and then withdraw it. When ready to continue the closing operation, the operator merely inserts the slightly opened jaws forwardly over the closedseam from the open portion thereof until jaws 20,21 embrace the seam in substantially the position shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4. The operator then carefully closes the jaws toward one another while manipulating the tool as necessary to work tang 22 beneath the outer U-leg. Once this operation is completed, the jaws are held firmly closed against-stop 38 and the tool is then moved in either direction lengthwise of the seam. If the tool is moved to the right as viewed in FIG. 4, further portions of the seam are assembled; if the tool is moved to the left as viewed in FIG. 4, the seam is disassembled as camming means 42 on lower jaw support 17 (FIGS. 1 and 6) cam the two seam members laterally apart forcing the U-shaped member outwardly in one direction and the T-shaped member in the opposite direction. It will therefore be understood that the invention tool is equally effective to disassemble the seam and to assemble it depending upon the direction in which the tool is moved length-' wise of the seam.

SECOND PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to FIGS. 8-14, inclusive, there is shown a second preferred embodiment of the seam operating tool corresponding generally to the tool described above but differing in certain respects. Thus tool 10' is formed in two principal forged parts pivotally connected by pivot pin 13 and including a first part comprising handle 14' and lower jaw 17' and a second part comprising handle 15' and upper jaw member 16'. These jaw members terminate respectively in a pair of oppositely facing channel shaped jaws 20', 21' whose lateral edges are prevented from closing against one another by a strip 30'located between jaw members 16,17'.

As herein shown, jaw members 20, 21 are substantially identical with one another and have their bottom surfaces flaring crosswise of one another as well as lengthwise in the same general manner as described above in connection with the similar surfaces in FIGS. I-6. It will therefore be unnecessary to describe all details of the structural and functional relationship of the jaw members in view of the detailed description given above of the first preferred embodiment since the second embodiment differs in no particularly significant respects. One feature of difference is best shown in FIG. wherein it will be noted that the wedge-shaped camming surface 42 is offset transversely of the tool from the longitudinal center line normal to the bottoms of the channel shaped jaws. As is evident from FIG. 10, this offset of camming surface 42' facilitates opening of the seam if the tool is being pushed to the left as viewed in FIG. 10, surface 42' then being effective to cam the T-shaped head 28' so as to disassemble it from between the legs of the U-shaped seam member 25.

It will also be understood that the distance between the bottoms of the closed jaws at their forward end is such that these bottoms act to press the U-legs into mating relationship with the T-head as the tool is pulled to the left as viewed in FIG. 1 1 to close the seam. Rearward interior portions of the jaws are spaced further.

apart and sufficiently for the U-leg s to spread and permit entry of the T-head.

A further difference from the first embodiment is the fact that both jaws of the second embodiment are provided with similar camming tangs 22, 23 shaed substantially as shown and having multiple functions. Even though two tangs are shown, it will be understood that a single tang can be used for each of the functions now to be described quite satisfactorily. However, for best results most users prefer the presence of both tangs. A first function of the tangs will be best understood from at any time and at any point along its length provided the channel-shaped portions of the jaws are placed,

it will be evident that both the horizontal and vertical surfaces of this edge will encase the rim edge of a respective U-Ieg. As the handles are pressed toward one another surfaces 40 force the U-legs to arch away from one another as is indicated in FIG. 14, thereby permitting tangs 22, 23' to be pressed beneath the U-legs until the U-legs snap into the position shown in FIG. 9. The assembly operation is facilitated if the tool handles are pressed lightly toward one another as they are drawn to the right as viewed in FIGS. 7 and 10. The camming edges 40 of the tangs then underride the outer ends of the U-legs causing the described arching of the legs into their assembled positions in the tool FIG. 9 wherein it will be noted that the distance between their adjacent surfaces in the closed positions of the jaws is closely beside an adjacent surface of the T- stem portion 27 of the T-seam member wherein the tangs cooperate in supporting this T-stem and the T- head in a median plane midway between the U-Iegs of the other seam member. Another function of the tangs is to underride the free ends of the U-leg and cam these legs away from one another sufficiently to permit entry of the T-head. Thirdly, the innermost forward end portion of the tangs engages the underside of the T-head and guides the same into position toward the bottom of the U-leg, in order that the apexes of the respective interlocking tangs can bypass one another. The bypassing phase of the operation is illustrated in FIG. 9 whereas FIG. 13 shows the position of the U-le'gs when interlocked with the T-head. r

A further and important function of tangs 22', 23' will be best understood by reference to FIGS. 10, ll, 13 and 14. Thus it is often desirable to remove the tool from a partially closed seam or to insert the tool into one end of a partially open portion-of the seam. Prior closure devices for the type of seam shown in this application were incapable of assembly or disassembly intermediate the opposite ends of the seam and could only be installed by threading one end of the seam part into the closure device. As will be appreciated, this is a serious limitation in the use of this type of seam which is avoided by both embodiments of the present tool. Each is readily detached from and reassembled to the seam quickly and effortlessly.

A further feature of the invention is the provision of a resilient, rubber ring 43 (FIG. 7) embracing the handles and urging them to their closed position against stop 30. This avoids unintended disassembly of the tool from the seam parts but permits the handles to be spread whenever it is desired to insert or to withdraw the tool. Once the'tool is in its operating position the operator may relax his grip entirely from the tool without risk of the tool becoming disassembled from the seam.

Desirably, the lower handle member 15 is provided with a finger grip '44 readily engageable' by the index finger of the operators hand and is found highly useful in manipulating the tool lengthwise of the seam.

While the particular seam operating tool herein shown and disclosed in detail is fully capable of attaining the objects and providing the advantages hereinbefore stated, it is to be understood that it is merely illustrative of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention and that no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown other than as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A plier-like seam-operating tool for use in opening and closing a two-part seam each having a thin mounting strip and including a first T shaped seam member adapted to have its T-head interlock with the inwardly surfaces of a respective one of said thin mounting strips, the bottoms of said channel-shaped jaws flaring rearwardly away from one another and rearwardly toward the handle end of said tool from the forward open ends thereof at which forward ends said bottoms are spaced apart only slightly more than the thickness of said seam in the closed condition thereof and being sufficiently close together at their outer ends topress the U-shaped legs into interlocking assembly with said T-shaped seam member as said jaws are advanced lengthwise of said means members and being bodily pivotable away from one another as said pair of handles are pivoted apart, at least one of said jaws including an L-shaped tang projecting toward the other of said jaws with one leg projecting from the bottom of the supporting jaw and its other leg positioned to project inwardly between the legs of said U-shaped seam member to aid in holding the free ends of said legs flared apart sufficiently for the entry therebetween of the head portion of said T-shaped seam member as the tool is moved lengthwise of said seam members.

2. A seamoperating tool as defined in claim 1 characterized in that said channel-shaped members in the seam closing position thereof have their open sides extending lengthwise of the tool and lying in a plane extending generally parallel to the pivot axis of the tool and offset substantially from said parallel plane through said pivot axis.

3. A seam operating tool as defined in claim 2 characterized in that the plane of said channel-shaped members when closed to the seam closing position thereof lies entirely to one side of both of said tool handles.

4. A seam operating tool as defined in claim 1 characterized in that said L-shaped tang carried by one of said channel-shaped members is positioned on the opposite face of the seam from said handles while in use on a seam.

S. A seam operating tool as defined in claim 1 characterized in that said plier-like tool is formed of two pieces of metal stock held pivotally assembled between their opposite ends and having their handle ends and their jaw ends lying substantially in a common plane.

6. A seam operating tool as defined in claim 1 characterized in that a first one of said channel-shaped members is adapted to be positioned on the underside of a seam and a second one thereof and both handles are adapted to be positioned on the upper side of the seam, and said L-shaped tang being located on the first one of said channel-shaped members. I

7. A seam operating tool as defined in claim 1 characterized in that the interior bottoms of said channel shaped members are free of obstructions between the opposite ends thereof.

8. A seam operating tool as defined in claim 1 characterized in that the bottoms of said channel-shaped jaws are substantially the same width and aligned with oneanother from end to end thereof.

9. A seam operating tool as defined in claim 8 characterized in that one of said jaws includes an integral camming member spaced substantially rearwardly of the rear ends of said jaws with its longitudinal center line offset toward said L-shaped tang and normal to the bottoms of said jaws, said camming member being effective to guide the seam members into proper nesting assembly as the tool is moved lengthwise of the scam in one direction and effective to cam the seam members out of nesting assembly as the tool is moved in the opposite direction therealong.

10. A seam operating tool as defined in claim 1 characterized in that the jaws of 'said tool are readily opened and closed and readily removable from and reinstalled about said first and second seam members in an area intermediate the opposite ends of the seam members and wherein said seam members are partially mated and the free edge of said L-shaped tang being so positioned and shaped that said tool can be reassembled to and withdrawn from the seam at any time and from any portion of its length as the free edge of said L-shaped tang is cammed past the free edge of said U-shaped seam member.

l1 A seam operating tool as defined in claim 1 characterized in that the free outer edge of said other leg of said L-shaped tang tapers rearwardly and outwardly toward a junction with said one leg and is efi'ective as a camming surface to guide said other leg into its normal operating position between the legs of said U- shaped seam member during the assembly of said tool to a partially closed seam.

12. A seam operating tool as defined in claim 10 characterized in that each of said channel shaped jaws includes a similar L-shaped tangprojecting from the bottom thereof toward the other of said jaws.

13. A seam operating tool as defined in claim 12 characterized in that said L-shaped tangs are positioned directly opposite one another and cooperate in holding a respective one of the legs of said U-shaped seam member spread apart to facilitate entry of the head of said T-shaped seam member.

14. A seam operating tool as defined in claim 1 characterized in that the bottoms of said channel shaped 30 jaws flare away from one another from one lateral edge.

thereof and transversely of said, jaws in a direction of facilitate spreading of the legs of said U-shaped seam member during both entry and withdrawal of the head of said T-shaped seam member.

15. A seam operating tool as defined in claim 12 characterized in that the otherlegs of said L-shaped tangs are positioned closely spaced to the opposite sides of the T-stem of said T-shaped seam meber and cooperate in supporting the same in a plane between the open legs of said U-shaped seam member.

16. A seam operating tool as defined in claim 15 characterized in that the inner free edges of the other legs of said L-shaped tangs are positioned to support the T-head of said T-shaped seam member properly for insertion between thelegs' of said U-shaped seam member.

17. A seam operating tool as defined in claim 1 characterized in that at least one of said tool handles in-- cludes an abutment engageable by the users finger to supplement his grip of the handles in pulling the tool lengthwise of the seam members.

18. A seam operating tool as defined in claim 1 characterized in the provision of resilient means interconnecting the tool handles and urging said jaws normally closed against stop means spaced rearwardly of the channel shaped portions of said jaws.

19. A seam operating tool as defined in claim 1 characterized in that the channel shaped portions of said jaws are substantially identical.

20. A seam operating tool for use in opening and closing a two-part seam each part of which has a thin mounting strip attached respectively to a T-shaped toward one another and equipped with means for use in manipulating said jaws, the open side of said channel shaped jaws being bodily movable toward and away from one another to permit said tool to be inserted into and withdrawn from a partially closed seam, at least one of said jaws having rigid means integral therewith projecting toward the other jaw and including a tang positioned to extend between and spreadthe legs of the U-shaped seam member to facilitate entry therebetween of the head of said T-shaped seam member, said tang being pivotable with said one jaw away from the other jaw as said jaws are opened, said channel shaped jaws'including stop means to limit the closing movement thereto to a position wherein the adjacent rim edges of said jaws are in free sliding relation to the juxtaposed surfaces of the mounting strips of the seam and wherein said jaws are adapted to cooperate with the two seam members to shift the T-shaped seam member 7 characterized in that said tang'is located between the opposite longitudinal ends of said one channel shaped jaw, said tang lying in a plane close to a bisector plane midway between the bottoms of said jaws when closed to their normal seam opening and closing position, and the surface of said tang closest to the bottom of said one jaw being positioned to flare the adjacent leg of a U-shaped seam member away from the other U.-leg to facilitate entry of the head of the T-shaped seam member.

22. A seam operating tool as defined in claim 21 characterized in that the free rear edge portion of said tang is chamfered so as to flare rearwardly and outwardly toward one lateral side of said one jaw to facilitate camming said jaws past the free edge of said U- shaped seam member, into their operating positions embracing the seam members at the juncture of closed and opened sections of the seam as said jaw members approach and depart from a fully assembled position astride a partial length of said seam members.

23. A seam operating tool as defined in claim 22 characterized in the provision of a tang on each of said channel shaped jaw members cooperating to spread the legs of U-shaped member.

24. A seam operating tool as defined in claim 22 characterized in that the foremost portion of said tang is positioned to engage the adjacent end of the T-head ofthe T-shaped seam member and cam the same later,- ally into nested position between the legs of the U- shaped seam member as the tool is moved lengthwise of the seam.

25. ln combination for use in opening and closing a two-art seam each part of which has a thin strip attached respectively to a T-shaped seam memberand to a 'U-shaped seam member having tangs along the interaway from one another and between a non-seam operating position and a seam operating position wherein each of said jaws embraces a partially assembled portion of the seam from the opposite sides thereof, at least one of said jaws having rigid means carried thereby projecting toward the other of said pair of jaws to said U-shaped seammembers and wherein said jaws are adapted to cooperate with the two seam members to shift the T-shaped seam member into interlocking assembly between the legs of the U-shaped seam memher as the seam members and jaw members move relative to one another lengthwise of said channel-shaped jaw members, and the interior bottom portions of said.

channel-shaped jaws converging toward one another at one end thereof and are spaced sufficiently close together in the seam closing position thereof to force the legs of said U-shaped seam member into interlocking engagement with the juxtaposed tangs of said T-shaped seam member and said bottoms being spaced substantially further apart along all other portions thereof to avoid interfering with the passage of said T-head seam member between the outwardly flaring legs of said U- shaped seam member. 1

26. The combination defined in claim 25 characterized in that the free edge portion of said' tang for spreading the legs of said U-shaped seam member is chamfered to facilitate camming thesame past the edges of the legs of said U-shaped seam member-and one end and each provided with one of a pair of shallow channel-shaped jaws facing toward one another, stop means spaced very substantially rearward of the rear ends of said channel-shaped'jawsfor limiting the closing of said jaws with the adjacent side edges of the jaws in closely spaced apart generally parallel relation so '-that the flange edges of said jaws have a loose sliding ior faces of its legs shaped and positioned to interlock T-shaped seam member as said jaws are advanced lengthwise of said seam members and being bodily pivotable away from one another as said pair of handles are pivoted apart, at least one of said jaws including an L-shaped tang projecting toward the other of-said jaws with one leg projecting from the bottom of the supporting jaw and its other leg positioned to project inwardly between the legs of said U-shaped seam member to aid in holding the free ends of said legs flared apart sufficiently for the entry therebetween of the head portion of said T-shaped seam member as the tool is moved lengthwise of said seam members.

28. A seam operating tool as defined in claim 27 characterized in that the free edge of said L-shaped tang tapers outwardly and rearwardly toward the adjacent sidewall of the associated one of said channelshaped jaws and engages the edge of one leg of the U- shaped seam member so as to cause'the said leg to bulge outwardly toward the bottom of said jaw member thereby permitting the free edge of said L-shaped tang to be cammed past the edge of said leg and thereby facilitating the assembly and disassembly of said tool relative to a partially closed length of said two-part seam.

31. A seam operating tool as defined in claim 30 characterized in that one leg of each of said L-shaped tangs lies closelyspaced from and generally parallel to one another in the closed position of said jaws and cooperate in supporting the T-head of said T-shaped seam member properly for insertion between the legs of said U-shaped seam member. v

32. A plier-like seam operating tool for use in opening and closing an interlocking separable seam including a T-shaped seam member the T-head of which is interlockable with the inwardly hooked legs of a U- shaped seam member each having a mounting strip projecting laterally from their remotely spaced edges, said tool having a piyotally connected pair of handles equipped at their forward ends with a pair of jaws facing toward one another and shaped to loosely embrace an intermated portion of said T-shaped and U-shaped seam members with the adjacent portions of said seam members flaring rearwardly along either side of the tool, means for preventing said jaws from closing sufficiently to grip either of said seam members, the lateral edge portions of said jaws embracing adjacent lateral edge portions of the legs of said U-shaped seam member and one of said jaws including L-shaped tang means projecting toward the other of said jaws with one tang leg positioned to project inwardly between the free end of the legs of said U-shaped seam member to spread the same apart sufficiently for the entry therebetween of the T-head of said T-shaped seam member, and the edge of said one tang leg being shaped to cam the T- head member between and into interlocking engage-- ment with the legs of said U-shaped seam member as said'tool is pulled lengthwise of said seam and closing pressure is applied to said tool handles causing the legs of said U-shaped seam member to bulge sufficiently for its free end to slip past the edge of said tang leg.

33. A seam operating tool as defined in claim 32 characterized in that the forward end of said jaws includes means engageable with the exterior surfaces of said U-shaped legs to assure that said legs interlock with the T-head ,of said T-shaped seam member before newly closed portions of the seam exit from the forward end of said tool.

34. A seam operating tool as defined in claim 33 characterized in that there is sufficient clearance interiorly of said jaws rearwardly of the forward end thereof to permit the legs of said U-shaped seam member to flare open adequately to receive the T-head of said T- shaped seam member.

35. A seam operating tool as defined in claim 34 characterized in that the free edge of said tang leg is positioned to engage the T-head of said T-shapcd seam member and shift the latter inwardly into position to interlock with'the hooked legs of said U-shaped seam member as the tool is pulled in a direction to close said seam members.

36. A seam operating tool as defined in claim 34 characterized in that said tool includes wedge-shaped means positioned rearwardly of said jaws in a plane generally parallel to a longitudinal bisector plane normal to the pivot axis of said tool and effective to cam said seam members apart as the forward end of said too] is advanced forwardly along a closed length of said seam.

37. A seam operating tool as defined in claim 32 characterized in that one of said tool handles includes a lug positioned to be conveniently embraced by a finger of the users hand while grasping the handles of said tool.

38. A seam operating tool as defined in claim 32 characterized in that the free edge of said one tang leg diverges rearwardly and outwardly toward the adjacent lateral edge of said jaws.

39. A seam operating tool as defined in claim 38 characterized in that the outwardly facing rim edge of said rearwardly diverging tang leg is rounded off to facilitate the camming action thereof in unde'rriding the leg of said U-shaped seam member.

40. A seam operating tool as defined inclaim 32 characterized in that each of said jaws includes similar L-shaped tangs projecting twoard one another from -a respective one of said jaws and each disposed and shaped to perform substantially the same functions.

41. A seam operating tool as defined in claim 39 characterized in that the free edge of each of said tang legs has the adjacent rim edges diverging rearwardly and outwardly at an acute angle and rounded to facilitate camming the free end of a respective leg of said U- shaped member therepast as closing pressure is applied to the jaws and as the tool is advanced in a seam closing direction. r

42. A seam operating tool as defined in claim 40 characterized in thatthe remote surfaces of said tang leg are spaced sufficiently apart in the'norm'al closed position of said tool jaws as to hold said legs flared apart for free insertion therebetween of the T-head of said T-shaped seam member.

43. A seam operating tool as defined in claim 32 characterized in that said handles and the pivot connection therebetween are inclined upwardly and rearwardly relative to a plane of an underlying seam undergoing closing and lying generally in the plane of said aws.

44. A seam closing tool as defined in claim 32 characterized in that one of said jaws is disposed in a plane generally parallel to and closely spaced to the side of the seam remote from the tool operator, andthe other of said jaws and both tool handles being on the same side of the seam as the tool'operator and spaced outwardly away from the seam. 

1. A plier-like seam-operating tool for use in opening and closing a two-part seam each having a thin mounting strip and including a first T-shaped seam member adapted to have its T-head interlock with the inwardly hooked legs of a second U-shaped seam member, said plier-like tool having a pair of handles pivotally connected together in side-by-side relation and each provided with one of a pair of shallow channel-shaped jaws facing toward one another, stop means spaced very substantially rearward of the rear ends of said channel-shaped jaws for limiting the closing of said jaws with the adjacent side edges of the jaws in closely spaced apart generally parallel relation so that the flange edges of said jaws have a loose sliding fit with the juxtaposed surfaces of a respective one of said thin mounting strips, the bottoms of said channel-shaped jaws flaring rearwardly away from one another and rearwardly toward the handle end of said tool from the forward open ends thereof at which forward ends said bottoms are spaced apart only slightly more than the thickness of said seam in the closed condition thereof and being sufficiently close together at their outer ends to press the U-shaped legs into interlocking assembly with said T-shaped seam member as said jaws are advanced lengthwise of said means members and being bodily pivotable away from one another as said pair of handles are pivoted apart, at least one of said jaws including an Lshaped tang projecting toward the other of said jaws with one leg projecting from the bottom of the supporting jaw and its other leg positioned to project inwardly between the legs of said Ushaped seam member to aid in holding the free ends of said legs flared apart sufficiently for the entry therebetween of the head portion of said T-shaped seam member as the tool is moved lengthwise of said seam members.
 2. A seam operating tool as defined in claim 1 characterized in that said channel-shaped members in the seam closing position thereof have their open sides extending lengthwise of the tool and lying in a plane extending generally parallel to the pivot axis of the tool and offset substantially from said parallel plane through said pivot axis.
 3. A seam operating tool as defined in claim 2 characterized in that the plane of said channel-shaped members when closed to the seam closing position thereof lies entirely to one side of both of said tool handles.
 4. A seam operating tool as defined in claim 1 characterized in that said L-shaped tang carried by one of said channel-shaped members is positioned on the opposite face of the seam from said handles while in use on a seam.
 5. A seam operating tool as defined in claim 1 characterized in that said plier-like tool is formed of two pieces of metal stock held pivotally assembled between their opposite ends and having their handle ends and their jaw ends lying substantially in a common plane.
 6. A seam operating tool as defined in claim 1 characterized in that a first one of said channel-shaped members is adapted to be positioned on the underside of a seam and a second one thereof and both handles are adapted to be positioned on the upper side of the seam, and said L-shaped tang being located on the first one of said channel-shaped members.
 7. A seam operating tool as defined in claim 1 characterized in that the interior bottoms of said channel shaped members are free of obstructions between the opposite ends thereof.
 8. A seam operating tool as defined in claim 1 characterized in that the bottoms of said channel-shaped jaws are substantially the same width and aligned with one another from end to end thereof.
 9. A seam operating tool as defined in claim 8 characterized in that one of said jaws includes an integral camming member spaced substantially rearwardly of the rear ends of said jaws with its longitudinal center line offset toward said L-shaped tang and normal to the bottoms of said jaws, said camming member being effective to guide the seam members into proper nesting assembly as the tool is moved lengthwise of the seam in one direction and effective to cam the seam members out of nesting assembly as the tool is moved in the opposite direction therealong.
 10. A seam operating tool as defined in claim 1 characterized in that the jaws of said tool are readily opened and closed and readily removable from and reinstalled about said first and second seam members in an area intermediate the opposite ends of the seam members and wherein said seam members are partially mated and the free edge of said L-shaped tang being so positioned and shaped that said tool can be reassembled to and withdrawn from the seam at any time and from any portion of its length as the free edge of said L-shaped tang is cammed past the free edge of said U-shaped seam member.
 11. A seam operating tool as defined in claim 1 characterized in that the free outer edge of said other leg of said L-shaped tang tapers rearwardly and outwardly toward a junction with said one leg and is effective as a camming surface to guide said other leg into its normal operating position between the legs of said U-shaped seam member during the assembly of said tool to a partially closed seam.
 12. A seam operating tool as defined in claim 10 characterized in that each of said channel shaped jaws includes a similar L-shaped tang projecting from the bottom thereof toward the other of said jaws.
 13. A seam operating tool as defined in claim 12 characterized in that said L-shaped tangs are positioned directly opposite one another and cooperate in holding a respective one of the legs of said U-shaped seam member spread apart to facilitate entry of the head of said T-shaped seam member.
 14. A seam operating tool as defined in claim 1 characterized in that the bottoms of said channel shaped jaws flare away from one another from one lateral edge thereof and transversely of said jaws in a direction of facilitate spreading of the legs of said U-shaped seam member during both entry and withdrawal of the head of said T-shaped seam member.
 15. A seam operating tool as defined in claim 12 characterized in that the other legs of said L-shaped tangs are positioned closely spaced to the opposite sides of the T-stem of said T-shaped seam meber and cooperate in supporting the same in a plane between the open legs of said U-shaped seam member.
 16. A seam operating tool as defined in claim 15 characterized in that the inner free edges of the other legs of said L-shaped tangs are positioned to support the T-head of said T-shaped seam member properly for insertion between the legs of said U-shaped seam member.
 17. A seam operating tool as defined in claIm 1 characterized in that at least one of said tool handles includes an abutment engageable by the user''s finger to supplement his grip of the handles in pulling the tool lengthwise of the seam members.
 18. A seam operating tool as defined in claim 1 characterized in the provision of resilient means interconnecting the tool handles and urging said jaws normally closed against stop means spaced rearwardly of the channel shaped portions of said jaws.
 19. A seam operating tool as defined in claim 1 characterized in that the channel shaped portions of said jaws are substantially identical.
 20. A seam operating tool for use in opening and closing a two-part seam each part of which has a thin mounting strip attached respectively to a T-shaped seam member and a U-shaped seam member having tangs along the interior faces of its legs positioned to interlock with complementally shaped tangs on the T-head of the T-shaped seam member, said tool comprising a pair of one-piece channel shaped jaws facing toward one another and equipped with means for use in manipulating said jaws, the open side of said channel shaped jaws being bodily movable toward and away from one another to permit said tool to be inserted into and withdrawn from a partially closed seam, at least one of said jaws having rigid means integral therewith projecting toward the other jaw and including a tang positioned to extend between and spread the legs of the U-shaped seam member to facilitate entry therebetween of the head of said T-shaped seam member, said tang being pivotable with said one jaw away from the other jaw as said jaws are opened, said channel shaped jaws including stop means to limit the closing movement thereto to a position wherein the adjacent rim edges of said jaws are in free sliding relation to the juxtaposed surfaces of the mounting strips of the seam and wherein said jaws are adapted to cooperate with the two seam members to shift the T-shaped seam member into interlocking assembly between the legs of the U-shaped seam member as the tool is advanced lengthwise of the seam and the bottoms of said channel shaped jaws having a portion converging toward the end thereof remote from said tool manipulating means effective to cam the legs of said U-shaped member into interlocking assembly with the adjacent ends of the T-head of said T-shaped member.
 21. A seam operating tool as defined in claim 20 characterized in that said tang is located between the opposite longitudinal ends of said one channel shaped jaw, said tang lying in a plane close to a bisector plane midway between the bottoms of said jaws when closed to their normal seam opening and closing position, and the surface of said tang closest to the bottom of said one jaw being positioned to flare the adjacent leg of a U-shaped seam member away from the other U-leg to facilitate entry of the head of the T-shaped seam member.
 22. A seam operating tool as defined in claim 21 characterized in that the free rear edge portion of said tang is chamfered so as to flare rearwardly and outwardly toward one lateral side of said one jaw to facilitate camming said jaws past the free edge of said U-shaped seam member, into their operating positions embracing the seam members at the juncture of closed and opened sections of the seam as said jaw members approach and depart from a fully assembled position astride a partial length of said seam members.
 23. A seam operating tool as defined in claim 22 characterized in the provision of a tang on each of said channel shaped jaw members cooperating to spread the legs of U-shaped member.
 24. A seam operating tool as defined in claim 22 characterized in that the foremost portion of said tang is positioned to engage the adjacent end of the T-head of the T-shaped seam member and cam the same laterally into nested position between the legs of the U-shaped seam member as the tool is moved lengthwise of the seam.
 25. In combination for use in opening and closing a twO-art seam each part of which has a thin strip attached respectively to a T-shaped seam member and to a U-shaped seam member having tangs along the interior faces of its legs shaped and positioned to interlock with complementally shaped tangs extending lengthwise of the T-head of the T-shaped seam member, a pair of short channel-shaped jaws, means movably supporting said jaws for bodily movement toward and away from one another and between a non-seam operating position and a seam operating position wherein each of said jaws embraces a partially assembled portion of the seam from the opposite sides thereof, at least one of said jaws having rigid means carried thereby projecting toward the other of said pair of jaws and including a tang positioned to extend between and spread the legs of the U-shaped seam member to facilitate entry therebetween of the T-head of said T-shaped seam member, stop means for said channel-shaped jaws spaced substantially beyond either end of said jaws and effective to limit the closing movement thereof to a position wherein the adjacent rim edges of said jaws are in free sliding relation to the juxtaposed surfaces of said thin strips attached respectively to said T-shaped and to said U-shaped seam members and wherein said jaws are adapted to cooperate with the two seam members to shift the T-shaped seam member into interlocking assembly between the legs of the U-shaped seam member as the seam members and jaw members move relative to one another lengthwise of said channel-shaped jaw members, and the interior bottom portions of said channel-shaped jaws converging toward one another at one end thereof and are spaced sufficiently close together in the seam closing position thereof to force the legs of said U-shaped seam member into interlocking engagement with the juxtaposed tangs of said T-shaped seam member and said bottoms being spaced substantially further apart along all other portions thereof to avoid interfering with the passage of said T-head seam member between the outwardly flaring legs of said U-shaped seam member.
 26. The combination defined in claim 25 characterized in that the free edge portion of said tang for spreading the legs of said U-shaped seam member is chamfered to facilitate camming the same past the edges of the legs of said U-shaped seam member and into seated position against the interior edges of the legs of said U-shaped seam member.
 27. A plier-like seam-operating tool for use in opening and closing a two-part seam each having a thin mounting strip and including a first T-shaped seam member adapted to have its T-head interlock with the iwardly hooked legs of a second U-shaped seam member, said plier-like tool having a pair of handles pivotally connected together in side-by-side relation near one end and each provided with one of a pair of shallow channel-shaped jaws facing toward one another, stop means spaced very substantially rearward of the rear ends of said channel-shaped jaws for limiting the closing of said jaws with the adjacent side edges of the jaws in closely spaced apart generally parallel relation so that the flange edges of said jaws have a loose sliding fit with the juxtaposed surfaces of a respective one of said thin mounting strips, the bottoms of said channel-shaped jaws flaring away from one another from one lateral edge thereof and transversely of said jaws in a direction to facilitate spreading of the legs of said U-shaped seam member during both entry and withdrawal of the head of said T-shaped seam member and being sufficiently close together at their outer ends to press the U-shaped legs into interlocking assembly with said T-shaped seam member as said jaws are advanced lengthwise of said seam members and being bodily pivotable away from one another as said pair of handles are pivoted apart, at least one of said jaws including an L-shaped tang projecting toward the other of said jaws with one leg projecting from the bottom of the supporting jaw and itS other leg positioned to project inwardly between the legs of said U-shaped seam member to aid in holding the free ends of said legs flared apart sufficiently for the entry therebetween of the head portion of said T-shaped seam member as the tool is moved lengthwise of said seam members.
 28. A seam operating tool as defined in claim 27 characterized in that the free edge of said L-shaped tang tapers outwardly and rearwardly toward the adjacent sidewall of the associated one of said channel-shaped jaws and engages the edge of one leg of the U-shaped seam member so as to cause the said leg to bulge outwardly toward the bottom of said jaw member thereby permitting the free edge of said L-shaped tang to be cammed past the edge of said leg and thereby facilitating the assembly and disassembly of said tool relative to a partially closed length of said two-part seam.
 29. A seam operating tool as defined in claim 28 characterized in that each of said jaws includes a similar L-shaped tang projecting from the bottom thereof toward the other of said jaws.
 30. A seam operating tool as defined in claim 29 charcterized in that said L-shaped tangs are positioned directly opposite one another and cooperate in holding a respective one of the legs of said U-shaped seam member spread apart to facilitate entry of the head of said T-shaped seam member.
 31. A seam operating tool as defined in claim 30 characterized in that one leg of each of said L-shaped tangs lies closely spaced from and generally parallel to one another in the closed position of said jaws and cooperate in supporting the T-head of said T-shaped seam member properly for insertion between the legs of said U-shaped seam member.
 32. A plier-like seam operating tool for use in opening and closing an interlocking separable seam including a T-shaped seam member the T-head of which is interlockable with the inwardly hooked legs of a U-shaped seam member each having a mounting strip projecting laterally from their remotely spaced edges, said tool having a pivotally connected pair of handles equipped at their forward ends with a pair of jaws facing toward one another and shaped to loosely embrace an intermated portion of said T-shaped and U-shaped seam members with the adjacent portions of said seam members flaring rearwardly along either side of the tool, means for preventing said jaws from closing sufficiently to grip either of said seam members, the lateral edge portions of said jaws embracing adjacent lateral edge portions of the legs of said U-shaped seam member and one of said jaws including L-shaped tang means projecting toward the other of said jaws with one tang leg positioned to project inwardly between the free end of the legs of said U-shaped seam member to spread the same apart sufficiently for the entry therebetween of the T-head of said T-shaped seam member, and the edge of said one tang leg being shaped to cam the T-head member between and into interlocking engagement with the legs of said U-shaped seam member as said tool is pulled lengthwise of said seam and closing pressure is applied to said tool handles causing the legs of said U-shaped seam member to bulge sufficiently for its free end to slip past the edge of said tang leg.
 33. A seam operating tool as defined in claim 32 characterized in that the forward end of said jaws includes means engageable with the exterior surfaces of said U-shaped legs to assure that said legs interlock with the T-head of said T-shaped seam member before newly closed portions of the seam exit from the forward end of said tool.
 34. A seam operating tool as defined in claim 33 characterized in that there is sufficient clearance interiorly of said jaws rearwardly of the forward end thereof to permit the legs of said U-shaped seam member to flare open adequately to receive the T-head of said T-shaped seam member.
 35. A seam operating tool as defined in claim 34 characterized in that the free edge of said tang leg is positioned to engage the T-head of said T-shaped seam member and shift the latter inwardly into position to interlock with the hooked legs of said U-shaped seam member as the tool is pulled in a direction to close said seam members.
 36. A seam operating tool as defined in claim 34 characterized in that said tool includes wedge-shaped means positioned rearwardly of said jaws in a plane generally parallel to a longitudinal bisector plane normal to the pivot axis of said tool and effective to cam said seam members apart as the forward end of said tool is advanced forwardly along a closed length of said seam.
 37. A seam operating tool as defined in claim 32 characterized in that one of said tool handles includes a lug positioned to be conveniently embraced by a finger of the user''s hand while grasping the handles of said tool.
 38. A seam operating tool as defined in claim 32 characterized in that the free edge of said one tang leg diverges rearwardly and outwardly toward the adjacent lateral edge of said jaws.
 39. A seam operating tool as defined in claim 38 characterized in that the outwardly facing rim edge of said rearwardly diverging tang leg is rounded off to facilitate the camming action thereof in underriding the leg of said U-shaped seam member.
 40. A seam operating tool as defined in claim 32 characterized in that each of said jaws includes similar L-shaped tangs projecting twoard one another from a respective one of said jaws and each disposed and shaped to perform substantially the same functions.
 41. A seam operating tool as defined in claim 39 characterized in that the free edge of each of said tang legs has the adjacent rim edges diverging rearwardly and outwardly at an acute angle and rounded to facilitate camming the free end of a respective leg of said U-shaped member therepast as closing pressure is applied to the jaws and as the tool is advanced in a seam closing direction.
 42. A seam operating tool as defined in claim 40 characterized in that the remote surfaces of said tang leg are spaced sufficiently apart in the normal closed position of said tool jaws as to hold said legs flared apart for free insertion therebetween of the T-head of said T-shaped seam member.
 43. A seam operating tool as defined in claim 32 characterized in that said handles and the pivot connection therebetween are inclined upwardly and rearwardly relative to a plane of an underlying seam undergoing closing and lying generally in the plane of said jaws.
 44. A seam closing tool as defined in claim 32 characterized in that one of said jaws is disposed in a plane generally parallel to and closely spaced to the side of the seam remote from the tool operator, and the other of said jaws and both tool handles being on the same side of the seam as the tool operator and spaced outwardly away from the seam. 